Food labeling plays a crucial role in enabling consumers to make informed dietary choices. Among the most critical aspects of labeling are nutrition claims, which indicate the presence or comparison of nutrients in a food product. These claims are tightly regulated under the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018 issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
This article offers a deep dive into the rules governing nutrition claims, their permitted formats, restrictions, and the technical standards companies must meet to ensure compliance.
What Are Nutrition Claims?
Nutrition claims are defined as any representation that states, suggests, or implies that a food has particular nutritional properties, including energy value and/or content of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Under FSSAI’s framework, nutrition claims are categorized as:
These claims serve marketing purposes but more importantly guide health-conscious consumers. However, such claims must meet clearly defined legal criteria to avoid misleading the public.
What Does Not Qualify as a Nutrition Claim?
The regulation explicitly excludes certain references from the scope of nutrition claims to avoid misinterpretation:
By clarifying these exclusions, FSSAI ensures that consumers do not confuse mandatory information with promotional or comparative claims.
Legal Conditions for Nutrition Claims
To prevent misuse, nutrition claims are permissible only when made in accordance with specific conditions outlined in the regulation’s Schedules I and II:
Schedule I: Nutrient Claim Conditions
This schedule provides quantitative definitions for terms like “low,” “source,” “free,” and “high” in the context of nutrients. For instance:
Key point: If a product does not meet these exact thresholds, it cannot legally use these expressions.
Schedule II: Flexibility in Wording
The regulation allows alternative phrases or synonyms as long as:
For example, “light in sugar” might be accepted as a synonym for “reduced sugar” if it meets the prescribed standard.
Comparative Nutrition Claims
Comparative claims (e.g., “25% less sugar than leading brand”) must be handled with additional care.
Conditions:
Failing to provide this detail renders the claim non-compliant and misleading.
Equivalence Claims
Another permitted category of nutrition claims is equivalence claims. These are used to show that a food product provides a nutrient amount comparable to a natural food item.
Examples:
Conditions for Equivalence Claims:
These claims may appear on the label or associated labeling materials (e.g., ads, pamphlets) but must still conform to all regulatory definitions.
Importance of Accurate Nutrition Claims
Food businesses must understand the strategic importance and legal responsibility associated with nutrition claims:
For Consumers:
For Businesses:
Enforcement and Penal Provisions
Section 24 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 prohibits advertisements and claims that are misleading or deceiving. Violations related to incorrect nutrition claims can attract penalties under:
Additionally, products can be ordered off shelves and licenses suspended or cancelled under Section 32.
Best Practices for Businesses
To ensure compliance and avoid regulatory risks, food businesses should follow these best practices:
Conclusion
Nutrition claims, while powerful tools for consumer engagement, are tightly regulated to ensure public safety and fair trade practices. Whether it’s a simple “low sugar” label or a comparative claim like “25% more protein than regular cereal,” each must be substantiated, quantified, and presented transparently.
The FSSAI’s detailed framework ensures that businesses promote health truthfully, empowering consumers to make well-informed dietary choices. Non-compliance not only attracts financial and legal consequences but also risks public trust.
For food businesses, compliance is not just a checkbox—it’s a commitment to consumer well-being and product integrity.
Read more about this Regulation: Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018
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